Thursday, December 22, 2016

Encyclopaedia Of Buddhism II


Looking at the Sri Lankan Encyclopaedia of Buddhism (SLEB) and all the more recent ones it’s immediately clear what the problem is. They cover all schools of Buddhism, Buddhist art, history, biographies, odd bits-and-pieces, as well as the actual Dhamma. All religions are diverse but Buddhism particularly so. The result is that trying to fit all this info into several volumes, let alone in one, in encyclopaedic detail, requires that most articles have to be kept small; in other words, they cannot be encyclopaedic. And that’s what we see in all the recent encyclopaedias. The solution? Well, as far as the Pali tradition goes, this is what I would like to see.   There should be an encyclopaedia which covers the Dhamma as presented in the Pali Tipitaka, and this would require at least three or four volumes. The translation of all Pali terms should be standardised, and where not, the reason for it explained. Articles on doctrine should be details, comprehensive and cross-referenced with other articles. Only a few articles should deal with the cultural and historical aspects of Buddhism; e.g. perhaps an article each on the history of Buddhism in Burma,  Thailand, Sri Lanka, etc. and perhaps several brief ones on the likes of Buddhaghosa, Dhammapala, etc.  The results of trying to fit everything in can be seen in the SLEB.  The article on ‘Love’ is just over six pages, the article on ‘Metta’ just over four pages, while the article on Mahathupa (a stupa in Anarudhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka) takes up 17 pages. This sort of emphasis on Sri Lankan history to the detriment of important aspects of Dhamma was absent in the first several volumes SLEB but is  painfully obvious in the recent ones. Quite frankly, Thai amulet superstitions, Sri Lankan healing rituals, Burmese nat worship, and the like,  would be more appropriate in a book on anthropology. Another thing that should be kept to a minimum is what might be called scholastic equivocation. Peter Harvey’s otherwise excellent An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics  is marred by this sort of thing. On  alcohol, meat-eating, violence, homosexuality, and numerous other issues, it’s all “The Dalai Lama says this”, “The American meditation teacher ABC says that”, “According to the Tibetan understanding…”, “In the Tantric tradition…” and so it proceeds so in the end we have no idea what Buddhist ethics teach.  Again we have the problem of trying to fit everything in, and in this case, even opinions.  The Dhamma as presented in the Pali Tipitaka is pretty clear on most doctrinal and ethical issues. Where this is not the case it is usually possible to detect historical development. For example, most of the suttas in the Majjhima are earlier than the Vimanavatthu and the Petavatthu and this should be acknowledged and explained. An encyclopaedia such as this would be of enormous help to the present and future generations of Western Buddhists trying to absorb the essence of the Dhamma. There are now enough scholars, including several outstanding ones in Sri Lanka, who would be capable of undertaking a project such as this.  
A few days ago I was  somewhat carried away in a daydream (I admit to sometimes doing this). I fantasised that I had won a lottery prize of $50 million, used the money to set up a foundation to produce an encyclopaedia, and that the first volume had just come off the press. Then the phone rung and I was abruptly brought back to reality. But one is allowed to dream sometimes isn’t one? 

22 comments:

reddweb said...

what do you think of some of the community projects on the net, such as:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/

I personally benifitted A LOT just having easily cross-referenced, and accessible, suttas.

Khemadhammo said...

Venerable,

Where has the encyclopedia been published? I have the version finished in the 90s,but i never was able to obtain all parts of the encyclopedia. You are referring to the encyclopedia started by Malalasekera,aren't you?

Khemadhammo.

Shravasti Dhammika said...

Dear Rebbweb, I think Access to Insight, Sutta Central and similar websites are excellent resources and hopefully there will be more of them. In several subjects Wikipedia is also excellent although their articles related to Buddhism are very uneven – going all the way from dreadful, to amateurish, to adequate, to excellent, hovering mainly around adequate. Many take no account of historical developments in doctrines, give few textural references other than the tired old Dhammapada and the Dalai Lama, and often treat subjects superficially. Hopefully there will be gradual improvements there. The high quality of some non-Buddhist articles show what can be done. Have a look at the otherwise comprehensive article Animal Rights which previously had no mention of Buddhism. Now it has two line on Buddhism (including the patently false claim that according to Buddhism “humans do not deserve preferential treatment over other living beings”, a good sized paragraph on Islam, and of course a great deal on the Western/Christian perspective. Buddhism has much to say on this issue but you’d never know it reading Wikipedia.

Dear Khemadhammo, yes I am referring to the encyclopaedia edited by G. P. Malalasekera and published by the government of Sri Lanka. And yes, as I pointed out, trying to get the full set takes time. Copies are on sale at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana (if you can wake up any of the staff to bother to get it for you) and from a few outlets in Colombo. The Buddhist Publication Society in Kandy may stock it too. Inquire from them.

theGizmoDen said...

The insight shared here is positively inspiring. It would seem the encyclopedia is quite eye opening in relation the practise and adherence of Buddhism and our Destiny . "In several subjects Wikipedia is also excellent although their articles related to Buddhism are very uneven – going all the way from dreadful, to amateurish, to adequate, to excellent, hovering mainly around adequate." I would think that more experienced heads on the subject ought to register with Wikipedia and help out in the editing and adding of information on those pages.

Florima Paul said...

your blog is better then others and have more information about the article.i am florima an delhi escorts companion and I love your opinion on the post

Independent Delhi Escorts
Delhi Escorts Photos
Escorts Service in Delhi
Delhi Escort Whatsapp Number
College Girl University Delhi Escorts
Busty Escorts in Delhi
Punjabi Escorts in Delhi
Travel Escorts in Delhi

Urvashi Sharma said...

Desh Bakti is not from religion is in it the blood, i am urvashi sharma an Independent Escorts in Mumbai and provide service also in juhu area as juhu escorts
Mumbai Escorts▐ ▶

Andheri Escorts▐ ▶

Juhu Escorts▐ ▶

Mumbai Call Girls▐ ▶

Panvel Escorts▐ ▶

Wadala Escorts▐ ▶

Anusa Rana said...

We achieved many clients trust on our every services of massage basel, massage bern, massage geneva and massage Goa.
Escorts Services in Goa
Escorts Agency in Goa
Photos Of Escorts Services in Goa
Escorts Service in Goa
Affordable Escorts inb Goa
Whatsapp Escorts Services in Goa

Your Secret Desires said...

One of the reasons why I’ve been doing more real life posts is because I see other bloggers doing them successfully and I get jealous. They make me want to post too! That’s inspiration. Inspiring other bloggers is what you should aim for, so if you’re inspiring me (or others), you’re right on track!
escort girl ottawa
Gatineau Ottawa Escorts
vip escort edmonton
escort agency Singapore
Singapore escort agency
Singapore escort agencies

Hawaai Yatra said...

Budget travel in Mumbai
Cheap Airlines in Bangalore
Cheap Plane Tickets in chennai
Vacation packages in Jaipur
Cheap Airfare in Shimla
Plane Tickets in Manali
Airline Tickets in Delhi

Kavya Sinha said...

This kind of information is very limited on internet. Nice to find the post related to my searching criteria. Your updated and informative post will be appreciated by blog loving people.
Mumbai Escorts
Mumbai Escorts Photos
Independent Mumbai Escorts Service
Cheap Rate Mumbai Escorts
Mumbai Escorts Whatsapp Number
Mira Road Escorts
Panvel Escorts
Powai Escorts

Kalyug Ki Laila said...

Its great to see that people are sharing quite profitable information with each other and now we can move our selves to a new era.
Escorts Services in Shimla
Escorts Services in Bhopal
Escorts Services in Lucknow
Escorts Services in Agartala
Escorts Services in Bhubaneswar
Escorts Services in Kerala

Max Event Planners said...

Hey, very nice site. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
event planners near me in Gurgram
event organizer in Delhi
part planners near me in Gurgaon
event management companies in Gurgram
wedding event planner in Delhi
event planner website in Gurgaon
https://maxeventplanners.blogspot.com/

Selina Shetty said...

Nice post dude. I have one question. On most of the blogs I have noticed people instead of commenting with their name, they use blog name.
Delhi Independent Escort
Aerocity Escorts
Gurgaon Escorts
Connaught Place Escorts
Greater Kailash Escorts
Dwarka Escorts

_____$$$$_________$$$$
___$$$$$$$$_____$$$$$$$$
_$$$$$$$$$$$$_$$$$$$$$$$$$
___$Independent Escorts Delhi$
___$$Cheap Rate Delhi Escorts$
___$$$$$$Delhi Escorts Photos$
_$$$$$$$Delhi Escorts$$$$$$$$
__$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
__$$Call Girls in Delhi$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
_______$$$$$$$$$$$$$
__________$$$$$$$
____________$$$

spaking said...

Escorts Service in Dwarka
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad
Escorts Service in Faridabad

محمد على said...


شركة مكافحة النمل الاسود بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالرياض
شركة مكافحة بق الفراش بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الفئران بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الحمام بالرياض

Peer Voyages India said...

Buddhist Tour Packages

Brittany Seiber said...

To know more about Chief Dr Lucky you can visit his website (https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/)
 
 A friend that suffered from Herpes and was cure with the help of this great herbal doctor Chief Lucky so i decided to contact him for help in getting rid of my families genital herpes virus 1/2 which i did and all i was told to provide was just some useful information and some materials used in preparation of the natural cure and that i did and now i am the happiest person on earth because i am writing this testimony of mine with joy and happiness in my heart to the whole world to know that natural remedy is real because i am a living testimony of Chief Lucky traditional herbal cure and i want you all to contact Chief Lucky via his email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +2348132777335 am sure he will help you too.

ferahtia.FS said...

merci pour vos efforts
facscience
facscience facscience
facscience

آدم said...

شركة تنظيف منازل بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف مجالس بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف مكيفات بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف موكيت بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف خزانات بالاحساء
--------------------
شركة رش مبيدات بالاحساء
شركة مكافحة حشرات بالاحساء
شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالاحساء
شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالاحساء

Daisy said...

Thanks for Sharing Happy Bhai dooj Gifts Online, Bhai dooj Gifts for brother online, Bhai dooj Gifts for sister online, Best Online Birthday Gifts Delivery

Daisy said...

online order gifts to India

PurpleMirchi said...

Leading Bike Transport Service Provider in Delhi for Transporting Motorcycle or Bike in Delhi